With new snow and an uptick in upper elevation winds yesterday, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on wind-loaded slopes above treeline. Slopes near and above treeline not loaded by recent winds have a MODERATE danger, mainly in areas that received the most snow overnight and this week. The new snow may sluff easily and could produce soft slab avalanches.
Below treeline the avalanche danger is LOW.
Winds finally picked up late yesterday from the west and northwest. Above treeline, you'll likely find soft slabs of wind drifted snow that should be easy to trigger today.
In most areas, 4-6 inches of new snow may sluff easily and not present much of a hazard. Watch for places that may have a foot or so of new snow this week. It should be bonding to itself today, but could produce some soft slab avalanches.
The last daily forecast will be tomorrow, Sunday, April 23. We will provide intermittent updates with any storm until Sunday, May 7th and will continue posting backcountry observations until then.
There have been no reported avalanches in the Uintas since last weekend when there were some loose wet avalanches.
This past week has generally been cold with some snow on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon/evening. Winds from the NW have been mostly light and have been delivering both cold air and moisture. The north slope of the Uintas seems to have been squeezing more snow out of this NW flow. Since yesterday, most parts of the Uintas may have gotten 4-6" of snow with some locally higher amounts possible. Winds from the WNW increased at higher elevations yesterday afternoon blowing 25-45 mph gusting to 55 mph.
This morning, winds from the NW eased and are blowing 11-16 mph gusting to 30 mph. Temperatures are generally around 20 degrees F above 9000 ft under mostly cloudy skies.
Today skies should remain cloudy and with maybe an inch of snow falling. Temperatures should warm to near 30 degrees. Winds shouldn't change. Skies should begin clearing late tonight.
If dry powder is what you're after, conditions have steadily been improving, and I suspect areas of the north slope have received a foot of total snow this week.
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
